KR20110022599A - Vision system for scan planning of ultrasonic inspection - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for the analysis of composite materials in aircraft components. Structural light measurements are used to determine the three-dimensional shape of the object, which are then analyzed to minimize the number of scans when performing laser ultrasound measurements.

Description

VISION SYSTEM FOR SCAN PLANNING OF ULTRASONIC INSPECTION}

The present invention generally relates to the field of nondestructive technology for the measurement of composite materials. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and system for correlating position data with ultrasound data.

Recently, the use of composite materials has increased in aerospace and other commercial industries. Composite materials provide significant improvements in performance, but they are difficult to manufacture and require stringent quality control procedures during manufacture. Nondestructive evaluation (“NDE”) techniques have been developed as a method for the identification of defects in composite structures, for example, detection of inclusions, exfoliation, and porosities. Conventional NDE methods are typically slow, labor intensive and expensive. As a result, test procedures disadvantageously increase the manufacturing costs associated with composite structures.

For parts with irregular surfaces it is desirable that the measurement data be correlated to the position data. For these parts, the determination of the shape of the part is a clue to correlating the measurement to a location on the part. Prior art methods of scanning composite parts with irregular shapes required that the part to be scanned be placed on a table and fixed at a known position to provide a starting reference point for the scan. For large and / or irregularly shaped objects, the table or other means required to position the part is expensive and frequently specific to only one part.

In accordance with the methods of the prior art, the scan of complex shaped parts required multiple scans from several different poses or wiews. These poses are typically selected manually by an experienced operator. However, these methods have some drawbacks. Because of the complexity of the shape of most parts, it is mostly difficult to determine whether a part is overscanned or underscanned for its surface shape or for neighboring parts when scanning an object consisting of two or more parts. In addition, the prior art has relied on personal experience to select the number and placement of postures. Thus, there is a need for an improved method for scanning objects with complex shapes.

A non-contact method of determining the shape of an object and a method of correlating laser ultrasound measurements for an object with an apparatus are provided.

In one aspect, a method of analyzing an article is provided. The method includes (a) scanning the article with a structural light system to obtain three-dimensional information about the article, (b) the article three-dimensional information to determine the minimum number of scans required to scan the surface of the article. (C) directing a laser beam to the surface of the article to cause ultrasonic surface displacements, wherein the laser beam is directed to the surface of the article in accordance with the processed three-dimensional information. (d) detecting the ultrasonic surface displacements, (e) correlating article three-dimensional information with the ultrasonic surface displacements, (f) processing the ultrasonic surface displacement data, and (g) the ultrasonic wave Correlating the three-dimensional information and the processed ultrasonic surface displacements to provide coordinate measurements for surface displacement data.

In some embodiments, the article comprises a composite material. In some embodiments, scanning the article into the structured light system comprises providing a structured light device comprising a camera, a light beam generating element, and a structured light device moving means, projecting the light beam onto a surface of the article, Manipulating the camera to receive an image of the light beam projected onto the surface of the article, and moving the structural light device to the next position until the entire surface of the article is measured. In some embodiments, detecting the ultrasonic surface displacements at the surface of the article comprises generating a detection laser beam, directing the detection laser beam to the surface of the article, detecting the detection laser beam having an ultrasonic surface displacement of the article. Scattering to produce phase modulated light, processing the phase modulated light to obtain data related to ultrasonic surface displacements at the surface, and collecting data to provide information about the structure of the article. In some embodiments, the article is an aircraft part. In some embodiments, the article is an aircraft.

In some embodiments, the steps further comprise executing a process that is transferred to the first computer to process light detected from the article. In some embodiments, the steps further include executing a process that is transferred to a second computer to obtain three-dimensional information related to the shape of the article. In some embodiments, the steps further comprise executing a process that is transferred to a third computer to determine the minimum number of scans required to process three-dimensional information related to the article and evaluate the article.

In another aspect, a method of evaluating aircraft components used is provided. The method includes scanning the fabricated aircraft part with a structural light system to obtain article three-dimensional information. The article three-dimensional information is processed to determine the minimum number of scans needed to scan the surface of the manufactured aircraft component. A laser beam is directed at the surface of the manufactured aircraft component to cause ultrasonic surface displacements, the laser beam being subjected to the article according to the processed three-dimensional information to minimize the number of scans required to scan the surface of the manufactured aircraft component. Is oriented on the surface. Ultrasonic surface displacements are measured and correlated with the manufactured aircraft component three-dimensional information. The fabricated aircraft part three-dimensional information is compared with known data sets and ultrasonic surface displacement data is processed. The known data set is correlated with the processed ultrasonic surface displacements to provide coordinate measurements for ultrasonic surface displacement data of the manufactured aircraft component. The manufactured aircraft parts three-dimensional information and ultrasonic surface displacement data are stored. The fabricated aircraft parts are installed in the aircraft and the installed aircraft parts are scanned by the structured light system to obtain article three-dimensional information. The article three-dimensional information is processed to determine the minimum number of scans required to scan the surface of the installed aircraft component. A laser beam is directed at the surface of the installed aircraft component to cause ultrasonic surface displacements, the laser beam being processed according to the processed three-dimensional information to minimize the number of scans required to scan the surface of the manufactured aircraft component. Is oriented on the surface. A laser beam is directed at the surface of the installed aircraft component to cause ultrasonic surface displacements. Ultrasonic surface displacements are detected and correlated with installed aircraft component three-dimensional information. Ultrasonic surface displacement data is processed and correlated with a known data set to provide coordinate measurements for the ultrasonic surface displacement data. The installed aircraft part three-dimensional information and the processed ultrasonic surface displacement data are compared to the manufactured aircraft part three-dimensional information and the processed ultrasonic surface displacement data.

In some embodiments, evaluating the aircraft component includes identifying a defect selected from the group consisting of delamination, cracks, mammals, disbonds, and combinations thereof.

The invention includes a plurality of embodiments in different forms. While specific embodiments have been described in detail and shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the description is to be regarded as illustrative of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments shown and described herein. It should be fully understood that various teachings of the embodiments discussed below can be used individually or in any suitable combination to obtain the desired results. The various features mentioned above, as well as other features and characteristics described in more detail below, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Described herein are methods and apparatus for determining the shape of an object including composites, as well as methods for correlating laser ultrasonic measurements for an object.

Structured light ( Structured Light )

Structural light is one representative non-contact technique for the mapping of 3D composite materials involving the projection of light patterns (eg, faces, grids, or other more complex shapes) at known angles to an object. This technique is useful for imaging and obtaining dimensional information.

Typically, in structured light systems the light pattern is generated by spreading or scattering the light beam into sheet light. When sheet light meets an object, bright light can be seen on the surface of the object. By observing a line of light at a certain angle, typically a detection angle different from the angle of the incident laser light, the distortions of the line can be interpreted as height variations on the object being observed. Multiple scans of views (often referred to as postures) can be combined to provide the shape of the entire object. Scanning the object with light can provide 3-D information about the shape of the object, where the 3-D information includes absolute coordinates and shape data for the object. This is also called active triangulation.

Because structured lighting can be used to determine the shape of an object, it can also help to recognize and find objects around it. These features make structural lighting useful in assembly lines that implement process control or quality control. The objects can be scanned to provide the shape of the article, which can be compared with the archive data. This advantage allows the assembly lines to be more automated, generally reducing overall costs.

The light beam projected onto the object can be observed using a camera or similar means. Exemplary light detecting means include a CCD camera, and the like. Although lasers are preferred for precision and reliability, various different light sources can be used as the scanning source.

Structural light 3D scanners project a light pattern onto an object and observe the deformation of the pattern on the object. The pattern may be one or two dimensional. An example of a one-dimensional pattern is a line. The line is projected onto the object using an LCD projector or a swept laser. Detection means, such as a camera, observe the shape of the line and use a technique similar to triangulation to calculate the distance of all points on the line. In the case of a single line pattern, a line goes through a field of view to gather distance information one strip at a time.

One advantage of structured light 3D scanners is speed. Instead of scanning one point at a time, structural light scanners scan a plurality of points or the entire view field at a time. This reduces or eliminates the distortion problem from the scanning operation. Some existing systems can scan moving objects in real time.

In some embodiments, the structured light system detection camera includes a filter designed to pass light corresponding only to a particular wavelength, such as the wavelength of a scanning laser. The detection camera may be operable to detect and record the optical image and determine coordinate values corresponding to the image using various algorithms. In some embodiments, the laser and detection camera see the object from different angles.

The structural light system may include a second camera, known as a texture camera, that may be operable to provide a full image of the object.

In some embodiments, the structured light system provides a series of data points to create a point cloud corresponding to the shape of the object and a particular view of the object or part being scanned. You can merge the point groups for each view or pose to collect complex point groups for the entire object or part. The individual point group data can then be converted to specific cell coordinate systems.

Once the measured poses for each part are gathered to provide a point group for the entire part, and relative coordinates for the part have been determined, a data set corresponding to the part can be registered. Registering the data set corresponding to the part provides a complete complement of coordinate points for the part and allows the data to be manipulated in space, thereby allowing the same part to be easily identified in subsequent scans. Once the part has been registered, similar parts are more easily identified and confirmed by comparing subsequent scans with previous scans or confirmed CAD data. Registered scans can be collected to provide a database.

Laser ultrasound

Laser ultrasound is a nondestructive evaluation technique that provides data such as the presence of defects by analyzing solid materials. In particular, because laser ultrasound is a non-destructive, non-contact analysis technique, it can be used for delicate samples and samples with complex geometries. Laser ultrasound can also be used to measure properties for large objects.

In laser ultrasound, pulsed laser irradiation generates stress waves in the material by causing thermal expansion and contraction on the surface being analyzed. These waves cause displacements on the material surface. Defects are detected when a measurable change in displacement is recorded.

Laser detection of ultrasound can be performed in a variety of ways, and these techniques are constantly being improved and developed. There is usually no best way to use it because you must be aware of the problem and understand what different types of laser detectors can do. Commonly used laser detectors fall into two categories: interference detection (Fabri-Perot, Mickelson, time delay, vibrometer and others) and amplitude change detection such as knife edge detectors.

Laser ultrasound is one exemplary method for inspecting objects made from composite materials. Generally, the method involves generating ultrasonic vibrations on the surface of the composite by radiating a portion of the composite with a pulsed laser. The detection laser beam may be directed and scattered on the vibrating surface, reflected, and phase modulated by the surface vibrations to produce phase modulated light. The phase modulated laser light can be collected by optical means and sent for processing. The treatment is typically performed by an interferometer coupled to the collecting optics. Information about the composite, including detection of cracks, exfoliation, porosity, foreign matters (inclusions), disbonds, fiber information, can be obtained from phase modulated light processing.

In some embodiments, a Mid-IR laser can be employed. In general, Mid-IR lasers provide greater optical transmission depth, improved signal to noise ratio to provide thermoelastic generation without causing thermal damage to the surface being analyzed, and shorter pulses.

One of the advantages of using laser ultrasound for objects with complex geometries, such as those used in the aerospace industry, is that the need for couplers is eliminated and complex geometries can be investigated without the need for contour-following robotics. Is there. Thus, laser-ultrasound can be used in aerospace manufacturing to investigate polymer-matrix composites. These composite materials can go through a number of characterization steps during the preparation of the composites, one of which is ultrasound examination by laser ultrasound. At some point during the manufacturing, these composites are preferably chemically characterized to allow the resins used to form the composites to cure suitably. It is also important to confirm that the correct resins were used in the forming process. Since it is a non-destructive non-contact technique, laser ultrasound is the preferred analysis method. Typically, chemical characterization of the composites typically involves obtaining control samples for infrared spectroscopy laboratory analysis.

Another one of the advantages of employing the present method is that the spectroscopy described herein can be taken from a particular part and performed on manufactured parts, not on samples analyzed in the laboratory. In addition, the spectroscopic techniques described herein may be employed when the part is attached to the finished product. In some embodiments, the method may be used in a finished product for the useful life of the finished product, ie after it has started to use and while attached to an aircraft or other vehicle. For example, spectroscopic analysis may be performed on an aircraft component during acceptance testing of the component prior to assembly of the component to the aircraft. Similarly, after being attached to an aircraft, the part can be analyzed using spectroscopic analysis prior to acceptance of the aircraft, or after the aircraft is used and during the life of the part or aircraft.

Note that the methods are not limited to end products, including aircraft, but may include any single part or any product including two or more parts. In addition, laser ultrasound systems may be used to provide spectroscopic analysis of parts or parts of parts that are difficult to access locations. The method can not only determine the composition of the target object such as the manufactured part, but also the method can determine whether the object forming process was correctly taken. For example, if the part is a composite or comprises a resin product, it may be determined whether the composite components, such as resin, have been properly treated or cured. It may also be determined whether special or desired ingredients, such as resins, were used to form the final product. The analysis may also determine whether a coating, such as a painted surface, is applied to the object, a suitable coating is applied to the surface, and whether the coating is applied properly.

Thus, the recorded optical depth data of known composites provides an effective comparison criterion for identifying the material from the measured ultrasonic displacement values and the corresponding generated beam wavelength. As mentioned above, the identification regarding the material of the part is not limited to a particular material composition, and may include coatings, whether the material has been properly treated, and the percentages of compositions in the materials.

In a preferred embodiment, by optimizing the number of views or "postures" required for each complete scan (i.e. using a minimum number), minimizing the overlap of scans and minimizing the need to reconstruct subsequent scans. The optimal method for scanning an object or part, including In some embodiments, the number of poses may be optimized according to the measured data. In some other embodiments, the minimum number of poses may be determined by looking at the CAD data. In still other embodiments, CAD data may be analyzed prior to scanning the object to determine the minimum number of scans required to scan the entire surface of the object or part.

In a preferred embodiment, the object or part to be scanned is initially scanned with the structured light system to obtain three-dimensional information relating to the object or part to be scanned. The light gathered by the camera receiving the image reflected from the object or part being scanned is used to reliably scan the entire surface of the object or part being scanned to determine the most efficient way to scan the part to obtain laser ultrasound data. It is processed to determine the minimum number of scans needed to make. Once the minimum number of poses or scans have been determined, the object or part is scanned with a laser ultrasound system, according to the methods described herein. The calculated minimum number of poses or scans can be determined.

In one aspect, the present invention provides automated non-destructive techniques and apparatus for correlating positional data and spectral data of composites. The apparatus includes a laser ultrasound system, an analog camera and a structured light system. The laser ultrasound system may comprise a generating laser, a detection laser, and optical means configured to collect light from the detection laser. In some embodiments, the optical means may comprise an optical scanner or the like. Generation lasers are known in the art. Detection lasers are known in the art.

The analog camera is a real time monitor. The structured light system includes a laser providing a structured light signal, an optional textured camera for providing panoramic images of the object being scanned, and a structured light camera. In some embodiments, the structured optical camera may include a filter designed to filter all light other than the laser light generated by the laser. The system is coupled to an articulated robotic arm having an axis of rotation relative to the robotic arm. The system also includes a pan and tilt unit that couples the structural light system to the robotic arm. The robotic arm preferably comprises sensors that allow the system to know the position of the arm and attached cameras and lasers, thereby providing a self-aware absolute positioning system to place the scanned part on the reference tool table. Remove it. The self-aware robotic system is also suitable for scanning large objects that may be too large for analysis on a tool table. The system can be coupled to a computer that includes software that operates to control various cameras and collect data. In some embodiments, the system can be a stationary system. In some other embodiments, the system can be coupled to a linear rail. In some other embodiments, the system can be mounted on a movable base or on a vehicle. The vehicle can be advantageously used to transport the system to various locations.

In some embodiments, the articulated robotic arm, and any means for moving the arm, may include means for preventing collisions with objects in a general area, such as, for example, tables. Collision avoidance can be achieved by various means, including programming the position of all fixed articles and objects in a control system for a robotic arm, or through the use of various sensors. Typically, the robot arm does not occupy the space occupied by the part being scanned.

The method of scanning a part is described as follows. In a first step, an apparatus is provided that includes a calibrated structured light system, a laser ultrasound, and a robot positioning system. In a second step, the part is located at a predefined location for scanning. In general, although it is advantageous for the part to be located in a defined position, it is not necessary that the part be located in a known position, as was required in the prior art. In a third step, the part is scanned into the structured light system to provide three-dimensional measurements and information related to the part. Typically, structured optical cameras include a filter that filters light such that only laser light passes through the filter and is recorded. This can be accomplished by filtering all wavelengths other than the wavelength produced by the laser. The line detection algorithm determines the coordinates for each individual scan on the object surface. Structured optical system data is recorded. The system is then moved and repositioned to capture the remaining images of the part to ensure that the entire surface of the part is scanned. In a fourth step, after the entire surface of the part has been scanned, the structural light data is compiled to provide a three dimensional view of the object. In a fifth step, structured light data is processed to determine the minimum number of laser ultrasound scans or poses required to obtain data for the entire surface area of the part being scanned. In a sixth step, laser ultrasound data is collected according to postures determined based on the three-dimensional structured light information. The laser ultrasound data is correlated to the structural light data and, optionally, to a corresponding known data set, for example CAD or archive data. In this way, laser ultrasound data can be mapped to the structure of the part and the presence, absence or formation tendencies of defects can be determined. Optionally, laser ultrasound data may be analyzed to determine if the number and location of scans determined by the laser ultrasound three-dimensional information provide adequate coverage of the part being scanned.

Ultrasonic displacements are caused on the target surface in response to thermoelastic expansions. At some ultrasonic wavelengths, the amplitude of the ultrasonic displacement is directly proportional to the optical transmission depth of the generating laser beam to the target surface. Optical transmission depth is the inverse of the optical absorptivity of the target. Thus, in another embodiment of the method, by varying the generation laser beam optical wavelength, the absorption band of the target material can be observed for the wavelength range of the generation beam.

Automated systems are conventional systems of the prior art that required the operator to select a pattern for scanning an article based on knowledge and experience without using calculated means to optimize the process by minimizing the number of scans or poses. It is advantageous because it is much faster than. One major drawback of the prior art methods is that each subsequent part having a similar shape will be positioned in exactly the same way to provide data suitable for comparison, such as to prepare a database for comparison and compilation later. It was required. Conversely, with the present system, the parts are initially scanned into the structural light system, thereby providing data about the shape, and each part individually to determine the scanning pattern resulting in the minimum number of individual scans or poses. Allows an object or part to be positioned in any manner as it is scanned. In some embodiments, the system can scan components up to 5 times faster than the methods of the prior art, and in preferred embodiments, the system can scan components up to 10 times faster than the methods of the prior art. Can be. Increased data acquisition rate provides increased yield of parts.

As mentioned above, the advantages of mapping laser ultrasound data to CAD data or to registered structures include improved irradiation efficiency due to the use of verified structures and verification that the entire surface of the part is being scanned. In addition, by correlating the ultrasonic data with the coordinate data for the part, it becomes the correlation of the part to be scanned in the future, thereby simplifying the storage of the part data.

Laser ultrasound is common in fiber features such as porosity, debris, exfoliation, porosity, debris (inclusions), disband, cracks, fiber orientation and fiber density, part thickness, and bulk mechanical properties. Useful for measuring material characteristics. Thus, another advantage of the method is that the laser ultrasonic detection system can perform a target spectroscopic analysis while simultaneously analyzing the bulk material for the presence of defect states. In addition to saving time and money, the method provides a more representative spectral analysis since the analysis is performed on the entire surface of the object itself rather than corresponding to a test coupon or control sample. As mentioned above, the scan can be performed on the manufactured part itself, on a part attached to a large finished product, or on the final finished product as a whole.

In some embodiments, CAD data may be used for the object being analyzed. In these embodiments, the 3D position data generated by the structured light system may be compared to and / or overwritten with the CAD data. This can be used as a quality control procedure to verify the manufacturing process. In other embodiments, the structural light data may be overwritten with the CAD data to provide confirmation of the part. The data collected by the structured light system can be used to provide a group of data corresponding to the 3D structure of the object. Based on the calibration techniques used for the system, an absolute data group can be generated. The data group can be placed in orientation on the CAD drawing, thereby providing a correlation between the structural light data and the CAD data. Preferably, the laser ultrasound data collected simultaneously with the structural light data and correlated to individual points on the surface of the object may be projected or mapped onto the CAD data to provide absolute coordinate data for the laser ultrasound data.

In some embodiments, the device can include a second camera, such as a texture camera. Texture cameras generally capture the entire images of the object and can be used for part recognition purposes. Unlike structured light cameras, texture camera images are not filtered to remove objects from the image. Although the structured light data provides a virtual surface of the part, the texture camera can provide a real image of the object, which can be used with the structured light and laser ultrasound data. In this way, both the structural light data and the CAD data can be compared with the visual image provided by the texture camera. The texture camera may also provide the operator with a view of the part being scanned or for storage purposes.

Preferably, it is calibrated prior to performing a scan of the object. Calibration is necessary to ensure accuracy in the measurement and preparation of coordinate data relating to the object being scanned. In some embodiments, the system is calibrated locally, ie with respect to the tilt and pivot mechanisms, by scanning an object with a known shape into the structured light system.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, scanning of components with complex shapes may require multiple scans. In one embodiment, the scans are done so that the scans overlap at the seams or edges of the part. In yet another embodiment, the scans are performed intentionally overlapping in certain areas of the part.

Registration of structural light data and comparison of CAD data or previous scans of similar or identical parts may help to ensure that 100% of the surface area is scanned with minimal overlap or overlapping in critical areas of the part. In addition, registration allows features and / or defects to be scanned and compared to the plurality of parts. This allows areas of the problem to be analyzed and solutions can be developed for the prevention of defects in the future. In addition, the storage of data allows the parts to be repaired to be compared to a "built" data set.

For smaller parts with complex shapes, a tooling table including pegs and posts can be used to provide the necessary alignment cues for the structured light system. However, the use of the tooling table as an expectation and support for the part to be investigated requires prior knowledge of the shape of the part as well as the starting reference point for the part.

As used herein, the terms approximately and approximately should be interpreted to include any values within 5% of the stated value. In addition, reference to the term about and approximately in relation to the range of values should be interpreted to include both the upper and lower limits of the stated range.

While the invention has been shown or described in only some embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

In the article analysis method,
Scanning the article with a structured light system to obtain three-dimensional information about the article;
Processing the article three-dimensional information to determine a minimum number of scans required to scan the surface of the article;
Directing a laser beam to the surface of the article to cause ultrasonic surface displacements, wherein the laser beam is directed to the surface of the article in accordance with the processed three-dimensional information;
Detecting the ultrasonic surface displacements;
Correlating article three-dimensional information with the ultrasonic surface displacements;
Processing the ultrasonic surface displacement data; And
Correlating the three-dimensional information and the processed ultrasonic surface displacements to provide coordinate measurements for the ultrasonic surface displacement data. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the article for evaluation. The method of claim 1, wherein the article comprises a composite material. The method of claim 1, wherein the scanning of the article into a structured light system comprises:
Providing a structural optical device, a light beam generating element, and a structural optical device moving means comprising a camera;
Projecting a light beam onto the surface of the article;
Manipulating the camera to receive an image of the light beam projected onto the surface of the article; And
Moving the structured light device to the next position until the entire surface of the article is measured. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting ultrasonic surface displacements at the surface of the article comprises:
Generating a detection laser beam;
Directing the detection laser beam to a surface of the article;
Scattering the detection laser beam with the ultrasonic surface displacement of the article to produce phase modulated light;
Processing the phase modulated light to obtain data related to the ultrasonic surface displacements at the surface; And
Collecting the data to provide information regarding the structure of the article. The article analysis method according to claim 1, wherein the known data is CAD data. The method of claim 1, further comprising calibrating the structural light system prior to measuring the dimensions of the article. The method of claim 1, wherein the article is an aircraft component. The method of claim 1, wherein the article is an aircraft. The method of claim 1, further comprising executing a first computer implemented process to process the light detected from the article. The method of claim 10, further comprising executing a second computer implemented process to obtain three-dimensional information related to the shape of the article. The method of claim 10, further comprising executing a third computer-implemented process to process three-dimensional information related to the article and determine a minimum number of scans required to evaluate the article. A method of evaluating aircraft components used,
Scanning the fabricated aircraft part with a structured light system to obtain article three-dimensional information;
Processing the article three-dimensional information to determine a minimum number of scans required to scan the surface of the manufactured aircraft component;
Directing a laser beam onto the surface of the fabricated aircraft component to cause ultrasonic surface displacements, the laser beam being processed in three dimensions to minimize the number of scans needed to scan the surface of the fabricated aircraft component Directing the laser beam, directed to a surface of the article in accordance with information;
Detecting the ultrasonic surface displacements;
Correlating the manufactured aircraft component three-dimensional information with the ultrasonic surface displacements;
Comparing the manufactured aircraft component three-dimensional information with a known data set;
Processing the ultrasonic surface displacement data;
Correlating the known data set with the processed ultrasonic surface displacements to provide coordinate measurements for the ultrasonic surface displacement data of the manufactured aircraft component;
Storing the manufactured aircraft component three-dimensional information and the ultrasonic surface displacement data;
Installing the manufactured aircraft component on an aircraft;
Scanning the installed aircraft component with a structured light system to obtain article three-dimensional information;
Processing the article three-dimensional information to determine a minimum number of scans required to scan the surface of the installed aircraft component;
Directing a laser beam onto the surface of the installed aircraft component to cause ultrasonic surface displacements, wherein the laser beam is processed three-dimensional information to minimize the number of scans required to scan the surface of the manufactured aircraft component; Directing the laser beam according to the surface of the article;
Directing a laser beam to the surface of the installed aircraft component to cause ultrasonic surface displacements;
Detecting the ultrasonic surface displacements;
Correlating the installed aircraft component three-dimensional information with the ultrasonic surface displacements;
Processing the ultrasonic surface displacement data;
Correlating the known data set with the processed ultrasonic surface displacements to provide coordinate measurements for the ultrasonic surface displacement data; And
And comparing the installed aircraft part three-dimensional information and processed ultrasonic surface displacement data with the manufactured aircraft part three-dimensional information and processed ultrasonic surface displacement data. The method of claim 13, wherein the evaluation of the aircraft component comprises identification of a defect selected from the group consisting of delamination, cracks, mammals, disbands, and combinations thereof.